Assessment of Nutritional Status of Rural Primary School Children in Two Local Government Areas of Abia State:- Orji, Chibuzor .V

ABSTRACT

study was a post evaluation assessment of the nutritionaJ status of school children aged 7-12 years in two rural communities in Abia State, Nigeria. The study assessed the impact of de-worming and treatment of malaria on the nutritional status of rural school age children in Abia State. Anthropometric data and skinfold thickness of the children were measured using standard techniques. The mean body weight, height, arm circumference, percentage body fat, lean body mass, total skinfold thickness and body mass index (BMI) of the children were 28.42±5.79kg, I .32±0.09m, I 8.57±1.92cm. I 9. I 8±6.60%, 18.54±6.1 6kg, I 9.41±7.63mm, 15.99±2.02kg/m respectively. There were no significant differences (P<0.05) in the height, body mass index and total skinfold thickness between the children in the previous study and children in the present study. Children in the present study had significantly higher (P<0.05) weight (28.4245.79 vs. 26.42±44.86kg), arm circumference (18.57±1.92 vs. 17.34±1.32cm), % body fat (19.8±6.60 vs. 18.0±4.89%), and lean body mass (18.54±6.16 vs. 17.68±5.72kg) than children in the previous study. Children in the. previous study were more malnourished (31.9% vs. 28.8%), underweight (85.6% vs. 78.3%), stunted (78.8% vs. 76.9%) and wasted (60.0% vs. 58.6%) than children in the present study. Underweight children had significantly lower (P<0.05) body fat. triceps, ·subscapular and abdominal circumference than normal children. Despite the de-worming and treatment of malaria among the subjects, they were still underweight for age (70-78%), stunted (76-82%) and wasted (53-58%). Total skinfold thickness, body fat and lean body mass of the children were highly related to weight, height and body mass index (BMI). Socioeconomic status of parents such as occupation, level of education, number of children in the family and position of the child in the family were also highly related to stunting and weight of the children. Helminth (worm) infection and malaria parasite significantly affected the nutritional status of the school children in the study.